BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University women's basketball drilled 11 free throws down the stretch, to ice the game Monday evening, and pull out a 73-59 win over Southern Conference rival Western Carolina in the Holmes Center. The victory is the Mountaineers' seventh-straight, and improves ASU to 14-9 overall and 10-4 in conference action, while the Lady Catamounts drop to 4-20 on the season and 3-12 in the conference.
After taking a narrow four-point advantage heading into intermission, the Apps used a 15-4 run to open the second-half to take a commanding 54-39 lead with a little under 13 minutes to play.
Sam Ramirez and
Ashlen Dewart continued their offensive production during the run, as the duo combined for 11 points over the five-minute span.
Both finished the game in dominating fashion, as Dewart went 8-12 from the field, pouring in 25 points, while grabbing six rebounds and Ramirez tied a career-high with 23 points, along with dishing out five assists and recording three steals.
Despite the double-digit Mountaineer lead, Western Carolina tried to rally a comeback, scoring seven unanswered. Led by a Jessica Jackson three-pointer, WCU was able to pull back within seven points, the narrowest of margins since the start of the second-half. However, made free throws over the course of the final three minutes kept ASU on top and earned Appalachian the 14-point victory.
Shooting an average of 60 percent from the charity stripe heading into Monday's contest, the Apps posted their best outing of the season at the free throw line, going 16-17, good enough for an impressive 94 percent. With four free throws against Western Carolina, Ramirez has now connected on 19-consecutive over the past four games.
It was a back and forth affair of sorts to start the game, but an early 11-0 streak put ASU out in front 19-10 just seven minutes into action. The nine point cushion was not good enough, as Western Carolina came storming back, outscoring Appalachian 21-6 to jump back in front by six points with a little under six minutes to play until the break.
Kristen Feemster scored WCU's first eight points during the run, while finishing the game as Western Carolina's leading scorer with 17.
Finally able to find the bottom of the basket, Ramirez,
Kelsey Sharkey and
Chakeitha Weldon, were able to get the Mountaineers going on the offensive front, and earn the Black and Gold the 39-35 lead at halftime.
Weldon also ended the contest in double-figures, scoring 13 points along with totaling four assists.
Strong second period play and resiliency enabled a balanced ASU attack to complete the season-sweep of the Lady Catamounts for the first time since the 2004-05 campaign and grab its third win in the month of February.
Putting its winning streak and spotless SoCon road record on the line, the Mountaineers now head to Chattanooga, Tenn. to take on league-leader Chattanooga, Saturday February 13. The contest against the Lady Mocs is set to begin at 5 p.m., in UTC's McKenzie Arena.
Notes: The 14 wins for ASU are the most in the season since the 2005-06 campaign (went 15-13 overall) ... the ten conference wins are the most since the 2005-06 season (11-7 in SoCon, fourth in conference) ... the seven-straight wins is the longest winning streak since the 1995-96 season ... the season sweep of the Lady Catamounts is ASU's first since the 2004-05 season ... the season sweep is the Apps' third of a conference opponent this season (Western Carolina, Elon and Davidson) ... the five home wins match the total number of home victories from a season ago ...
Darcie Vincent coached teams are an even 2-2 against Western Carolina ...
Darcie Vincent coached teams have now earned three wins over teams that advanced to the 2008-09 postseason (WCU- twice and ETSU) ... the 3-0 start to the month of February is the Mountaineers' best start to the month since the 2001-02 season.
Courtesy: Dave Mayo (Appalachian, 1983)